With Just Mere Words

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For several days now I’ve been reading and rereading 2 Chronicles 32:1-33. Even though King Hezekiah lived many years ago and there is no opposing King Sennacherib marching forward to lay siege on my land, I still see the parallels in my own world. During a time when Hezekiah probably expected to be experiencing ease instead he found himself on the verge of war. When the passage opens it states after he had faithfully carried out his work, then King Sennacherib invaded Judah. Yet Hezekiah lived in Jerusalem not Judah so that wasn’t so bad. However he soon realizes that old Sennacherib does not planned to just invade Judah but also Jerusalem.

When trouble is down the street on someone else door, it’s easy to be concerned one day but become consumed with our daily doings the next day. But nothing commands our attention like it does when trouble stroll itself into our front yard.

If you listen to much of the feel good Christianese today, we are lead to believe that we can expect good in this life. And oh how deserving we are after doing F A I T H F U L L Y what is expected of us, right? How do obedience and faithfulness deserve opposition and terror? What happened to our smooth ride guarantee? Truth is we were never granted one. Instead we were given assurance that God would be with us in it, a sufficiency of His grace, and peace that surpasses understanding.

Jesus never tried to hide the truth from us. He tells us there will be trouble. There will be persecution.

Granted I’d just assume bypass that part and get on to the good but neither of us have that option. But we do have the options:

To choose what we say

To choose what sayings we give the most weight.

King Hezekiah chose to use his words to encourage the people by saying, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are just men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” ( 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NLT)

One thing I like about the King’s word is that they were a honest assessment. He didn’t attempt to deny that a real enemy existed and he was powerful. Our faith does not have to cause us to falsely deny facts. However, the facts must not silence our faith in God’s power. If you read the passage before the one mentioned above, you will see that Hezekiah was not just speaking words of encouragement but he also took action repairing broken down places in town that would be easy entry ways for the enemy to gain access.

Where are the breached places in your spiritual home that leaves room for the enemy to slip through?

While Hezekiah chose to uplift, Sennacherib took a different approach. Before he ever stepped foot on Jerusalem soil he sent messengers to carry a word of doubt, insult, and fear. He asked, “What are you trusting in that makes you think you can survive my siege of Jerusalem?” Then he proceeds to describe how he has defeated every other nation before them.

Is that not how the tormentor of our souls does us now? Before a thing fully manifests, he plants seeds of doubts, worry, frustration and shows how the myriad of people before us were defeated when trying to overcome a similar obstacle.

In terror, doubt, worry, frustration we are easier prey and easier to stray from what we know is truth. That is why just mere words are so important.

Whose words are you trusting more in at this moment?

The easy, safe answer is to say God but there are times, when if I take an honest look I’m cowering in the corner because I have lent my ears too much to the tormentor, who says what makes me think I can survive.

At times he speaks loudly and other times his voice is soft and subtle but his words threaten to take me off course, if I do not manage to choose better words to hear and meditate upon.

May I pray for you precious one?

Dear Father,
I thank you for your Word that is eternal truth! I thank you for the one who reads these words. I pray that you would help us to be ever watchful of not just the words in which come out of our mouths but the words in which we let sink into our souls. Show us the breached places Lord and give us the wisdom on how to repair them Lord. Whatever trouble, distress, or dis-ease we might find ourselves in help us to see you right there in it with us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wanda, I think I have to move from my chair down to the floor, to my knees on this one. I am telling you that I am in the middle of fighting for my faith. I too have been reading up on Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Elijah and others. Their fights were ferocious, BUT FAITH always won every battle. I am digging my heels in to believe God, but I am telling you that it feels as if it is taking everything I have in me to stand. Everything.LaVonne recently posted..Good News

Very wise and edifying words, my friend. Thank you for speaking what God has placed upon your heart. I trust you are feeling much better by now and the valley is behind you. Praying for you. 🙂Cheryl Smith recently posted..Brown Family (Accident Victims) UPDATE

Hi Wanda! I really enjoyed reading your words. What a tumultuous time in our ancient history, full of violence and the threats of invasion. Faith, real faith, was needed to stand up to the reality of the enemy at the door. I think the times we live in are much the same. So much war and unrest and inhuman treatment of Christians in foreign lands. What can we do but hope that God sees? And that he send the right solutions.

You have company in that corner my friend. I have been leveled by the words of negativity in my life too. I don’t know why I let them have so much power. I think it’s because there’s always a nugget of truth in them, but it never lifts me up. NEVER. And that’s not God.

Great post, Wanda–so full of truth. I think the key to silencing the enemy is to realize Jesus IS present with us–no matter how bad circumstances or situations may be, we do not fight alone. Thanks for sharing these words of warning and of encouragement, Wanda.Pam recently posted..The Lousy Beautician